Hey everyone! I'm in the process of replacing a 134" long deck board, and I noticed something strange with the lumber dimensions at my local store. The deck board I need is listed as a 12' PT board at 5/4" x 6", which should have actual dimensions of 5.5" x 1" x 12'. But when I measured the boards in the store, they were 5.75" wide, which doesn't match the nominal or listed dimensions at all. I checked several 12' boards, and they all had the same measurement, while the 8' boards were actually 5.5" wide. Am I missing something here, or is the big box store selling oversized or out-of-spec boards?
3 Answers
Yeah, you hit the nail on the head. The 5/4 thickness is a specific term used in deck building, and it confuses a lot of people. Also, lumber like this can be slightly oversized due to processing. If you check the older wood or barn timber, that’s when you see true dimensions. But it sounds like your situation is pretty common!
It's a bit of a mystery with lumber measurements, isn't it? Think of it like a quarter pounder—you’re not always getting exactly what you expect! Lumber dimensions can vary due to rough cuts and differences in planing. Sometimes what's labeled just doesn't match the reality!
That's pretty typical with treated lumber! It's usually wet when you buy it, so it can measure larger. Once it dries out, it might shrink to the dimensions you're expecting. You should be able to work around it, though, especially if you’re thinking of using some shorter pieces!
Totally! Just make sure your joist spacing plays nicely with the lengths you choose.